"search" slows down PC, how fix?

  • Thread starter Thread starter George
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G

George

I'm using a WinXP-pro PC. I like using the Windows "search files and
folders" (and I deliberately set it to search everything, every filetype,
etc. not some light indexed stuff). PC has I think a 2 GHz processor, about
500MB RAM, and I think video card is middle of road or maybe a notch up.

But problem is...every "search" slows the whole PC down... other software
loads very slow, and after clicking it takes a moment for things to happen.
If I do two or three searches at same time, it gets 'really' slow, sometimes
ends up with some type of error. I need searches to keep going in the
background, but 'not' slow the PC down while I'm working on other things.

Questions are....

( )yes ( )no. Is this a function of the PROCESSOR speed, if so...how much
more do I need?

( )yes ( )no. Is this a function of the RAM size, , if so...how much more
do I need?

( )yes ( )no. Is this a function of the VIDEO card memory? if so...what
more do I need?

Thanks,
George
 
"I like using the Windows "search files and folders" (and I deliberately set
it to search everything, every filetype, etc. not some light indexed
stuff)."

"...I do two or three searches at same time..."

And you're surprised that this affects your computer's performance,
particularly when you seem to be running other programs at the same time?

Here are some suggestions for you:

If you're into searching your PC, there are more efficient ways than the
indexing feature that is included with Windows XP. You may have read that
desktop search is a focus of software developers, including Microsoft. For
example:
http://desktop.msn.com/

To learn about your hardware specifications open the Help and Support Center
and select 'Use Tools to view your computer information and diagnose
problems' (in the right hand column), then select 'My Computer information'.
 
George said:
I'm using a WinXP-pro PC. I like using the Windows "search files and
folders" (and I deliberately set it to search everything, every filetype,
etc. not some light indexed stuff). PC has I think a 2 GHz processor,
about 500MB RAM, and I think video card is middle of road or maybe a notch
up.

But problem is...every "search" slows the whole PC down... other software
loads very slow, and after clicking it takes a moment for things to
happen. If I do two or three searches at same time, it gets 'really' slow,
sometimes ends up with some type of error. I need searches to keep going
in the background, but 'not' slow the PC down while I'm working on other
things.

Questions are....

( )yes ( )no. Is this a function of the PROCESSOR speed, if so...how
much more do I need?

( )yes ( )no. Is this a function of the RAM size, , if so...how much
more do I need?

( )yes ( )no. Is this a function of the VIDEO card memory? if so...what
more do I need?

Thanks,
George
Click to expand...
In addition to what Ted said...
The computer has a marginally acceptable processor.
The computer has adequate memory.
You haven't said what speed your disks are.
You are loading the computer with more than one application which is a disk
intensive process.

You need a faster computer with more memory and faster disks if you persist
in you quest to bog down your computer as much as possible,

Jim
 
George said:
I'm using a WinXP-pro PC. I like using the Windows "search files and
folders" (and I deliberately set it to search everything, every filetype,
etc. not some light indexed stuff). PC has I think a 2 GHz processor, about
500MB RAM, and I think video card is middle of road or maybe a notch up.

But problem is...every "search" slows the whole PC down... other software
loads very slow, and after clicking it takes a moment for things to happen.
If I do two or three searches at same time, it gets 'really' slow, sometimes
ends up with some type of error. I need searches to keep going in the
background, but 'not' slow the PC down while I'm working on other things.

Questions are....

( )yes ( )no. Is this a function of the PROCESSOR speed, if so...how much
more do I need?

( )yes ( )no. Is this a function of the RAM size, , if so...how much more
do I need?

( )yes ( )no. Is this a function of the VIDEO card memory? if so...what
more do I need?

Thanks,
George
Click to expand...
Three suggestions:
Consider a third-party search application such as "Agent Ransack"
instead of the Windows search engine.

Consider not searching "everything" when you perform your searches. Try
to search only those folders where your results are likely to show up.
If you are looking for something that you know is in a Word file, search
only DOC files. I assume you are well-organized and have your DOC files
located in one folder or a group of subfolders under "My Documents".

Run your searches while taking a coffee break, eating lunch, or
otherwise not working directly with the computer.

Bill
 
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